World Suicide Prevention Day 2023

• Minister Butler and the HSE are highlighting actions that can help us all to create hope this World Suicide Prevention Day
• support is always available

Minister of State for Mental Health and Older People, Mary Butler, and the Health Service Executive (HSE) are today marking international World Suicide Prevention Day. The global theme for 2023 is ‘Creating Hope through Action’.

Minister Butler and the HSE have three key messages for this World Suicide Prevention Day: Reach In, Reach Out, and Be the Light.

• reach In to someone you know who might be having difficulties – check in with them and tell them you care about them
• reach out if you are feeling low, sad or hopeless – sharing things with someone else will help. Talk about what is going on for you. There are supports online, over the phone, by text or face to face – yourmentalhealth.ie
• finally, you can Be the Light by helping spread supportive messages and get involved in activities that promote positive mental health and wellbeing or suicide prevention in your community

In Ireland, this is an important theme that is reflected in our national strategy to reduce suicide Connecting for Life. Suicide is a very complex issue, however we can always look out for others who might be experiencing suicidal thoughts and provide support. This helps to create a more caring society where those who need to can feel more comfortable in seeking help.

Minister Butler said:

Mr John Meehan, Head of HSE National Office for Suicide Prevention (HSE Operations Planning) said:

In line with the international message of ‘creating hope’ on World Suicide Prevention Day, the HSE National Office for Suicide Prevention (NOSP) is sharing the following actions that anyone can take to support themselves, or someone in need of help.

Reach in

Reach in to someone you know who might be having difficulties. Find a comfortable space and time to sit and be present with them. Use open questions and tell them you care about them. You don’t need to have all the answers, so try not to feel pressured. If they share things with you, listen - stay calm, be patient and kind.

Remember that bringing up the topic of suicide with someone will not make suicide more likely. It can be really helpful for a person just to have a safe space to open up, know that they are heard and that they are not alone at a difficult time.

• supporting someone who might be suicidal, HSE yourmentalhealth.ie
• tips on being a good listener, HSE yourmentalhealth.ie

Reach out

Reach out. If you are feeling particularly low, sad or hopeless, always remember that sharing things with someone else will help. Reaching out to talk with someone or even a support organisation might initially feel frightening.

Even if you can’t find the right words, when you take that first step and start to share and talk about what’s going on for you, things can become clearer. The right words will come, and you will start to feel more hopeful.

Talk about how you feel, HSE yourmentalhealth.ie

Be the Light

Be the light. Connect with a support or community organisation. Volunteer, help spread their messages and become involved in activities that promote positive mental health and wellbeing or suicide prevention in your community.

Always think about the person and what they might be going through when talking about suicide. Remain compassionate and be respectful of the lives that have been lost, or others who have been bereaved. Remember that people can — and do — get through times of crisis, and that a positive message of recovery, can be protective and hopeful for others to hear.

What to say to someone going through a tough time, HSE yourmentalhealth.ie

Words Matter

The topic of suicide should always be approached with care and compassion. It is important to use sensitive and non-stigmatising language when engaging in a conversation, talking or writing about suicide. Using language and words that are helpful and respectful, will encourage open and safe conversations about suicide, and its prevention. They can help to create environments that are free of stigma, judgment or prejudice.

Always avoid using the term ‘commit suicide’ – this can imply a sin, criminal offence or act, and therefore can be stigmatising – of the person who has died, or of people who have been bereaved. In general, use neutral and simple terms such as ‘died by suicide’, ‘die by suicide’ or ‘death by suicide’.

More tips on language and suicide, from the HSE National Office for Suicide Prevention (NOSP)

Increase your awareness

If someone tells you that they are having thoughts of suicide, try to stay calm and don’t be afraid. Be reassured there are always helpful things you can do and there are training programmes that can help prepare you. Free suicide prevention and awareness programmes are available from the HSE.

These can build your confidence, help you recognise people who might be at risk of suicide, ask them about suicide, and connect them with helpful supports and services. For example:

• LivingWorks Start, a 90-minute online programme
• safeTALK, a half day face-to-face programme
• visit www.nosp.ie/training for more information

Support is always available

Always signpost to supports whenever talking about suicide. Many services are open 24/7 and you can make contact in different ways, for example:

• on the phone – Samaritans, visit www.samaritans.ie or freephone 116 123
• by text message – Text About It, text HELLO to 50808, visit www.textaboutit.ie
• online – MyMind, visit www.mymind.org
• face-to-face – Pieta, visit www.pieta.ie or freephone 1800 247 247

You can also call the HSE YourMentalHealth Information Line, anytime day or night, for information on mental health, and what other services and supports are available near you – freephone 1800 111 888 or visit www.yourmentalhealth.ie.

Globsl statistics

https://www.iasp.info/wspd/outreach-briefs/

• suicide is a global challenge. Suicide ranks consistently among the top 20 causes of death globally across all age groups. One in every 100 deaths worldwide is the result of suicide. It can affect every one of us
• the global suicide rate is over twice as high among men than women
• over half (58%) of all deaths by suicide occur before the age of 50 years old
• suicide occurs across all regions in the world. However, over three quarters (77%) of global suicides in 2019 occurred in low- and middle-income countries

Irish statistics

https://www.cso.ie/en/index.html

• in 2022, 412 people (331 male, 81 female) died by suicide (provisional figure)
• an overview of suicide statistics in Ireland between 2011 and 2019 was published by the Central Statistics Office (CSO) in 2022

Media reporting

• when covering the topic of suicide, the HSE recommends that media adhere to Samaritans Ireland Media Guidelines for Reporting Suicide - research evidence shows that certain types of media depictions, such as explicitly describing a method, sensational and excessive reporting, can lead to imitational suicidal behaviour among vulnerable people
• the topic of suicide should always be approached with care and compassion. It is important to use sensitive and non-stigmatising language when engaging in a conversation, talking or writing about suicide. Read more from the HSE National Office for Suicide Prevention

Free suicide prevention training from the HSE

For more information on suicide prevention training programmes available from the HSE, visit www.nosp.ie/training.